Great Lakes Center for the Arts

The Center

When the curtain rose for the first time at the Grand Opening on July 7, 2018, the Great Lakes Center for the Arts became a cultural and social hub in Northern Michigan offering year-round events across all genres—music, dance, theater, movies, and film, intellectual dialogue, education—making it a regional and national performing arts destination.

As an architectural landmark designed by renowned theater designers Fisher Dachs Associates and architects TowerPinkster, the Center is centrally located in Northern Michigan, just outside of Petoskey on US31, near Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, and Boyne City. The Center includes a beautifully crafted, intimate 527-seat theater housing a large stage with state-of-the-art features that meet the demands of internationally acclaimed artists and companies.

The Center’s spaces such as the Community Engagement Room, Rooftop Terrace, Main Level Patio, and Donor Lounge allow patrons to gather, enjoy conversations, a beverage, and views of Lake Michigan before events.

The Great Lakes Center for the Arts is a 501(c)3 charitable organization with an independent Board of Directors.

The Mission

The Center’s mission is to inspire, entertain, and educate through the performing arts with year-round, world-class performances, affordable ticket pricing, and robust educational programming, and to serve as a cultural and social hub for Northern Michigan.

The Vision

For nearly 20 years Northern Michigan envisioned a purpose-built, state-of-the-art professional venue to showcase the region’s many fine performing artists and welcome world-class performances for all to enjoy and Bay Harbor made it happen.

The Great Lakes Center for the Arts fulfills this vision as it offers unique cultural performances and events, provides educational opportunities, and is nationally recognized as a leading arts organization.

Founding Artistic Director and lead consultant for all areas including mission, vision, program planning, and leadership, Michael M. Kaiser, President Emeritus of the Kennedy Center in Washington and Chairman of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management, is providing expertise, knowledge, and experience to the Great Lakes Center for the Arts ensuring its sustainable success.

Programming and Mission

In its premiere season, the Center began a year-round line-up of events across all performing arts genres. Visiting artists, intellectual dialogue, movies and film, and educational programming will accompany the music, theater, dance, and comedy in bringing exceptional, world-class opportunities to the shores of Lake Michigan. The Center is dedicated to inspire, entertain, and educate with affordable ticket pricing for year-round and seasonal residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy and benefit from the Center’s resources.

The Great Lakes Center for the Arts offers exceptional opportunities to bring world-class performances to the shores of Lake Michigan with virtually limitless possibilities to inspire, entertain, and educate including;

YEAR-ROUND CULTURAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS, REPRESENTING ALL GENRES OF PERFORMING ARTS:

Musical theater, cabaret, and dramatic theatrical productions
Popular and country music performances with solo and group artists
Opera scenes and recitals with internationally recognized artists
Chamber music series and symphonic ensemble performances
Dance series featuring innovative contemporary programs and ensembles from major ballet companies
Documentaries, film premieres, and digitally broadcasted live performances
Stand-up comedy

UNIQUE WORLD-CLASS FESTIVALS AND SPECTACULAR EVENTS:

Country Music Festival
Jazz Festival
Chamber Music Festival
International gatherings celebrating arts and culture from around the world
Best of Michigan Series

STIMULATING LECTURES AND SYMPOSIA, FEATURING CONVERSATIONS WITH THOUGHT LEADERS AND INTELLECTUALLY RENOWNED GLOBAL SPEAKERS:

Domestic and world politics
Economy and investing
Arts
Sports and entertainment

MEANINGFUL ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT BENEFIT THE BROAD REGIONAL COMMUNITY WILL BE ESSENTIAL

Programs and initiatives will include:

Children’s matinées featuring live performances, puppetry, music and family films
In-school and in-venue partnerships with regional school districts designed around curriculum-based arts education experiences
Thoughtful lectures, discussion panels and educational opportunities for all ages
Internships and mentoring
Collaborations with cultural organizations

As a cultural destination and architectural landmark, the Center will offer a variety of opportunities for supporters and ticket buyers at every level to engage in meaningful ways with the presented artists. Patrons will enjoy special events in the community engagement room and gatherings on the rooftop terrace overlooking Lake Michigan with a donor lounge for the Center’s most generous friends.

MAIN LEVEL SEAT MAP

UPPER-LEVEL SEAT MAP

Posted by Brook Walsh on May 7th, 2019